A Comparative Study of the Thermal Comfort of Different Building Materials in Sana’a

Abstract

This study describes the impact of alternative building material envelope systems on the overall thermal performance of four selected materials used in Sana’a, Yemen. These systems included adobe, brick, stone and concrete block. After thorough on-site investigation and data collection, the information, along with regional weather data were input into the Ecotect energy simulation software for thermal performance evaluation. The objective was to search for affordable and energy-efficient construction techniques suitable for settlements and incorporating traditional cultural values in a arid upland region characterized by cold winters and warm, dry summers. This was pursued by analyzing temperature and measurements within buildings constructed from a variety of traditional and modern materials. The thermal behavior and comfort, the patterns of energy use and the appropriateness of the different building techniques and materials are analyzed, compared and discussed. We demonstrate how a building envelope reacts to outdoor conditions through graphic illustration and show ways in which the research can be extended by the creation of simulations using Ecotect software. This research contributes to the promotion of passive and low energy architecture towards a sustainable future.